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However Z3TA+2 did not, as it is VSTi only. The original z3ta+ could be an fx insert because it was also supplied as a separate VST fx plugin. "c:\program files\Cakewalk\vstplugins\z3ta+\z3ta+_fx2.dll". The VSTi version was not capable of that. Surge Synth is only supplied as an instrument plugin [VST, AU, LV2]. EDIT: I did run across this article outlining some ways to use surge as an effect by feeding audio to it via sidechain. Unfortunately this is only compatible with a few DAWs [Ableton, Ardour/Harrison, Cubase Pro, Logic X, Reaper], but Cakewalk is not one of them. https://github.com/surge-synthesizer/surge-synthesizer.github.io/wiki/Using-Surge-as-an-effect-(and-vocoder) If you are interested in that feature you may want to take a look at SynthMaster 2 or SynthMaster One. They each ship with an effect plugin version.

It's a good sounding synth, as is the original z3ta+. But there also a lot of great options out there. As an alternative, I would point out the free, open source, version of Vember Audio Surge. https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/ It's actively supported and with ongoing development on github.

I think that 1.1.3 is the latest. If you have that version installed it's probably safe to ignore any further update prompts. At least until UVI updates it again to fix the update loop ...

I really don't remember all of the details, as it was 3.5 years ago, but I think I upgraded directly from the MS web page using the "do you want to upgrade now" process. I did download an ISO via the media creation utility, that I later clean installed from. But since I already had a Win 10 "digital license" issued for my machine, I was never issued a key code. Then MS recognized my hardware during the clean install, and I was automatically activated without a key code.

That all depends on how you upgraded or installed Win 10. Maybe or maybe not, depending on the circumstances. In my case, the system page does not show a valid 25-digit key code, since I was issued a "digital license" via the free upgrade. See this: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12440/windows-10-activate

You didn't need to buy a new code. You can just skip that step even if it asks for one, and the install should continue fine. It is also possible to install Win 10 and run it forever without even activating it. The system will show a nag screen, and some desktop customizations are limited. but it will continue to work unlike past versions of Windows that would time out.

Good tip, thanks! I have had my eye on that one for a while at $49, but that discount made me pull the trigger! A no brainer! Here is a video of a guy producing a symphonic metal track with Hyperion Strings!

I saw them live in the 70's, then again 20 years later in the 90's. A couple of the most memorable live rock shows that I have ever seen. The drum solo set that Neil performed during the latter show blew me away completely. Incomparable! Legendary! R.I.P. Neil!

The Win 7 key code is on the sticker attached to your CD-ROM case. or your PC case. If you are running an activated copy of Win 7, you shouldn't need to enter that code again unless you are re-installing Win 7. The Win 10 upgrade installer should be able to detect if your copy of Win 7 is activated. If the above applies, there should be no need to purchase a copy of Win 10, since MS is still allowing free upgrades. Unless you are building a new machine, for example, then you would need a new license. But generally OEM Win 7 licenses are limited to the machine they were installed on originally. If you had purchased a full retail copy of Win 7, then you should be able to transfer that to a new PC.

I hear ya, but discussion of key gens and cracks will likely get this thread suspended by the mods ... (just fyi).

To upgrade for free from Windows 7 to Windows 10, MS requires that you upgrade to Win 10 in place online, from a computer running a genuine activated copy of Win 7. The result of this step is that MS will swap your Win 7 key for a "digital" Win 10 license. You are relieved of your Win 7 license at this point. From that point on you can clean re-install Win 10 and MS will remember your digital Win 10 license for that specific computer without a key code.

And if you don't have Kontakt, an alternative to free Kontakt libraries is to use the free sfz format Virtual Playing Orchestra library for the Plogue sforzando player (the player is from the creators of the Aria player used by Garritan): http://virtualplaying.com/virtual-playing-orchestra/ "This is a full, free orchestral sample library featuring section and solo instruments for woodwinds, brass, strings and percussion." "Virtual Playing Orchestra is a free orchestral sample library, in sfz format, that attempts to emulate multiple articulations of the solo and section instruments from a full orchestra using the best free samples from Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra, No Budget Orchestra, VSCO2 Community Edition, University of Iowa, Philharmonia Orchestra and extra free samples from Mattias Westlund, author of Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra." https://www.plogue.com/products/sforzando.html The main drawback to sforzando is that it's not multi-timbral, so you may need to insert multiple instances of the plugin to achieve what you need.

Back in the 80's I used to have a wall full of binders on shelves with printed tech manuals. A couple of the volumes were indexes on where to locate specific topics in the bazillion pages of content. They occasionally shipped a full refresh that filled up a cargo pallet with boxes. The vendor used to send us updates in a method similar to the one Jim described. Then one day, along came a cool new invention called the "CD-ROM". The vendor discontinued the printed version and supplied everything on CD. Having a search engine made it much more productive to find only what you needed, and not wasting time cross referencing from a printed index. This was life changing for us on the job! I realize that the Cakewalk manual is not that big, but I still prefer using a search engine in a PDF file to reading a printed manual. Just call me an old dog that prefers the new tricks!

Spinning drives are the weakest link for the operating systems in modern PC hardware. Although HDD are fine for audio and samples using sequential access, general file storage, and backups, the random access reads and writes to the system drive by the OS are many, many times faster on SSD. It is like you bought a new computer when you make the switch!

Regarding the sluggish startups, I can report this from personal experience. My desktop with Win10 installed on a SSD runs like a bat out o hell. From boot-up to desktop, and ready to run, all startup activities completed in seconds. But my Win 10 laptop with a slow spinning HDD takes a while for all of the Windows startup processes and tasks to settle down. It sits for several minutes at 100% disk utilization while all of the MS housekeeping tasks are run (and I have disabled most 3rd party startup tasks). Then finally after the Task Manager shows an idle state, I can use it like normal. But I avoid shutting it down, or rebooting for this reason. The laptop came with Win 8.1 originally, and I cannot recall seeing this issue with that OS. So my opinion is that that MS has made Win 10 optimized to operate with the assumption that the user is running the latest hardware, such as SSD. MS even recommends buying a new PC with Win 10 pre-installed. I would suggest at least trying an affordable SSD before buying a new PC!